LUCKNOW: A failure to repost a social media post appears to have sealed Akash Anand’s fate in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), with party chief Mayawati on Thursday announcing that her nephew had been “completely freed” from the organisation.The development came hours after Akash’s father-in-law and former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth announced his retirement from politics. But rather than paving the way for Akash’s return to a position of responsibility, Siddharth’s retirement was followed by Mayawati’s decision to sever Akash’s remaining ties with the party.The repost that matteredAt the centre of Mayawati’s decision was something seemingly simple: Akash did not repost her X post on Wednesday.Mayawati had said that if Siddharth genuinely wanted what was best for his son-in-law, he should retire from politics completely, allowing Akash to work freely in the BSP. She had also linked any possible restoration of responsibilities to Siddharth’s retirement.Akash’s silence, however, appeared to anger the BSP chief. Mayawati pointed out that he had earlier reposted her social media posts to demonstrate his loyalty, but chose not to do so when the post directly concerned his own political future.For Mayawati, the omission appeared to carry a larger meaning. She said it showed that Akash remained more strongly attached to his family ties than to the party and its movement.Repeated chances, repeated setbacksAkash’s latest setback comes after a series of reversals in his political journey under Mayawati.He was first expelled from the BSP in May 2024 and again in March 2025. On both occasions, he was taken back within a month and subsequently given important responsibilities. His latest removal from a major organisational role came on September 3, when the BSP relieved him as national coordinator.Mayawati had then said Akash needed greater political maturity and would not be entrusted with major organisational responsibilities for the time being.The sequence suggests that despite repeated opportunities, Akash struggled to maintain the confidence of the BSP chief.Ishan’s repost adds a new dimensionAgainst this backdrop, the reported immediate reposting of Mayawati’s Thursday statement by Akash’s younger brother, Ishan Anand, assumes significance. Mayawati has lately assigned Ishan significant responsibilities in the party.While Akash’s reluctance to repost the earlier post became a point of criticism, Ishan’s apparent readiness to endorse Mayawati’s position creates a striking contrast between the two brothers.Mayawati has now made her position clear: Akash is no longer part of the BSP. She questioned whether he could effectively serve the party while remaining “double-minded” between family relationships and the interests of the organisation.A final break?Siddharth’s retirement, which Mayawati described as a “correct step” taken late, was expected to remove a major obstacle to Akash’s political rehabilitation. Instead, it coincided with what could be the final break between Mayawati and her nephew.With the BSP preparing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Mayawati has stressed sacrifice, discipline and keeping personal and family interests away from the movement. In that context, Akash’s X silence may have been more than a missed repost—it became, in Mayawati’s reading, evidence of where his priorities lay.For a leader who had already given Akash several opportunities, that appeared to be the final straw.(With agency inputs)